GWT Reconsideration Requests- Getting the same response

[fashezee]

We have been getting the same response from Google after several reconsideration requests.

THE SITUATION:
Our site displays 3 distinct product lines. We separated each product line by use of SUB-DOMAINS. All 3 product lines are integrated as part of the main NAVBAR. The product list pages run off the sub-domain; however, product detail pages run off the MAIN-DOMAIN.

GWT
Google has taken manual action because the MAIN-DOMAIN.COM links to PRODUCT-A.DOMAIN.COM on every single page. I attempted several times to explain; but without success. It's only one SUB-DOMAIN causing a problem. The other 2 SUB-DOMAINS are setup the exact same what without issue. This week, we simply added a NO-FOLLOW on the link to the SUB-DOMAIN causing the issue; we will see if this helps.

Anyone else ever experience this?

[aakk9999]

Are you sure this is the only reason for penalty or is this just one of the link examples given? That is, do you have sitewide links on other sites you do not control?

Is the subdomain on the same main domain? E.g.:

example.com => Main domain
product1.example.com -> Subdomain

Are they in the same WMT account?

Perhaps nofollow will fix it, but I do find it odd that Google would penalise only because of sitewide links between your own subdomains that exist on the same domain (my interpretation of your post), if it is clear to Google that you own all of these domains.

There was a discussion some time ago whether to use nofollow between own domains or not and opinions differ. Perhaps Google sees your unusual internal linking as page rank manipulation.

[fashezee]

MAIN-DOMAIN.COM account in GWT
Within the MANUAL ACTION option; there is a MORE LINK under the "Affects, Some incoming links"; upon click, popup displays message :"Affected URL matches, Pointing to: PRODUCT-A.DOMAIN.COM

I do get the feeling that Google is penalizing for "unusual internal linking" between DOMAIN and SUB-DOMAIN

[Planet13]

I am a little confused about this statement:

"The product list pages run off the sub-domain; however, product detail pages run off the MAIN-DOMAIN."

Is there any way you can exemplify this better?

Also, you say that you have three distinct product lines. Are users who are interested in product line #1 LIKELY to be interested in product lines #2 and #3?

Is it VERY LIKELY that there would be interest from the same customer to ALL THREE product lines? Somewhat likely? Not likely at all?

[fashezee]

CAR-PARTS.DOMAIN.COM
- we LIST all car parts by make,model,year (ie. CAR-PARTS.DOMAIN.COM/MAKE)

DOMAIN.COM
- viewing product details; users are directed to DOMAIN.COM/PRODUCT-PAGE.HTML
- due to server config; SSL, product ordering etc... it was best to put ALL product pages on DOMAIN.COM

Other sub domain/product line: ie. BOAT-PARTS.DOMAIN.COM; Very unlikely a users is shopping for both type of parts.

[phranque]

i agree with aakk9999 - it's very strange that you would be penalized for linking between hostnames on the same domain like this.
all the messages i've heard for years now indicate google typically treats subdomains and subdirectories in a similar manner.

i would spend more time looking elsewhere for the problem.

[fashezee]

it's very strange that you would be penalized for linking between hostnames

I find it strange as well; but I have the screen shot of Google's listing my SUB-DOMAIN as an example LINK causing the issue.

[phranque]

the only example is your subdomain?
is there only one example from your subdomain?
if not, what pattern do you see in the others?
what have you done to address those?

[fashezee]

I have 6 SUB-DOMAINS; only 1 is causing an issue. Hence, the MAIN-DOMAIN in GWT has a warning of

Unnatural links to your site—impacts links

with one of the SUB-DOMAINS as an example.

All SUB-DOMAINS developed using same framework; hence, no difference of architecture on the problematic SUB-DOMAIN. I've sent 2 reconsideration requests explaining the SUB-DOMAIN; but no success. We just recently added NOFOLLOW to all links on the SUB-DOMAIN and fired off another reconsideration request.

[phranque]

so there are no reported examples from domains other than yours?

[fashezee]

@phranque : no other URL; just my SUB-DOMIAN